Switch-machine



M. WUERPEL SWITCH MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 2. I916.

1,370,57 6. Patented M r. 8, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

- INVENTOR O I I W AT TZJMH L M- WUERPEL.

SWITCH MACHINE- APPLICATION FILED on. 2, I916.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVE/JTOR M 2 W 7 ATTOR/VE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MORRIS WUERPEL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SWITCH-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 8, 1921.

Application filed October 2, 1916. Serial No. 123,294.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Moinns VVUERPEL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have 111- vented a new and useful Switch-Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch machines for operating the switch points of railway switches.

One of the objects of this invention is to devise a novel and simple. switch machine which may be controlled by a. push button or similar circuit controller at a distant point.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses. and the novel features of the nvention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In general the invention consists 1n the parts and in the arrangements and combinations of parts which are more fully described hereinafter.

In describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawing, wherein I have illustrated a preferred physical embodiment of my invention, and wherein like characters of reference designate cor- 'esponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 a top plan view of a switch machine embodying the invention with the cover therefor removed; Fig. 2 is a transverse sect-ion through the switch machine taken substantially on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fig. 4c is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on the median line of the switch machine. certain parts being shown in elevation for the sake of clearness; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic View showing the parts of the switch machine and devices. together with the electrical connections therefor, which are suitable for operating and controlling the switch machine and for indicating its operation.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, the parts of the switch machine embodying the invention are shown as supported in boxlikc frames or casings fastened to a baseplate which also constitutes a support for an electric motor M of any suitable or well known construction for operating the parts of the switch machine.

At one end of the base-plate B is secured a casing D which houses a friction clutch device 0 of suitable construction, and the motor shaft 5 is connected to one of the members of this friction clutch device and a driving shaft 6 is connected to the other member of said friction clutch device, a beveled pinion 7 being keyed or otherwise fixed to one end of the shaft 6. Near the middle of the base-plate B is fastened a gear frame G which has integral with its side walls a cross brace'8, and whichis provided with a lengthwise brace 9 extending from the middle of the. said cross brace 8 to the middle of one of the end walls of said gear frame G, the braces 8 and 9 being spaced above the base-plate B so as to leave a space for the operating gears. v Journaled at its lower end 1n a boss 10 integral with the base-plate B and at its upper end in the. lengthwise brace 9 is a vertical shaft 11 to which is fastened, as by means of a key, a beveled gear 12 meshing with the beveled pinion 7. Also fastened to the shaft 11, as by being keyed thereto, is a pinion 13. Extending downward through they cross brace 8 near its middle is a stud bolt 1 1 which screws into a bearing stud 15 (see Fig. 4) having a rim or flange at its lower end; and mounted on this bearing stud 15 is a main driving gear 16 which meshes with the pinion 13 fixed to the shaft 11, a suitable washer 17 being preferably interposed between the bearing stud 15 and the cross brace 8. A driving pin 18 is fixed to the main gear 16 and extends lownward therefrom, and revolubly mounted on this driving pin 18 is a roller 19.

The throw bar 20 of the switch machine is guided in the side walls of the gear frame G and is formed with an enlarged portion 21 between its ends in which is formed a slot 22 extending transversely of the throw rod 20 and adapted to receive the roller 19 on the driving pin 18.

In the upper face of the driving gear 16 are out two notches or recesses 23 arranged at diametrically opposite points; and pivotally mounted between lugs 2st integral with or secured to the cross brace 8 is a locking bolt or dog 25, the lower edge of which is adapted to drop into one of the notches 23 in the driving gear 18 and hold said driving gear against movement. Fastened to the base-plate B is a frame or casing E to which -1S secureda solenoid 26 having a vertlcally movable core 27 (see Fig. 4) and pivotally connected at one end to the frame E is a lever 28 which is pivotally connected to the core 27 and which is adapted to bear against a stop 29 integral with the base-plate B per or unlocking position.

The circuit controlling devices associated with the switch machine are mounted in casing H secured to the base-plate B near one end, and in the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated are similar in construction to the well known switch cir cuit controller, although it is apparent that circuit controlling devices of other construction may be used. In the construction illus trated a shaft 33 is mounted in bearings supported by the side walls of the casing H and extends to a point outside of said casing,

and a crank arm 34 is fixed to the projecting end of the shaft 33 and is connected, as by means of a rod 3-5, to the switch points, Fixed to the shaft 33, as by being pinned thereto, is a cam36 having the general shape as shown in'Fig. 3; and loosely mounted on the shaft 33 is another cam 37 having the general shape as shown in Fig. 2,. the

.cam 37 being operatively connected to the shaft bymeans of a lost motion con nection which, as shown, comprises a pin 38 fixed to the shaft 33 and adapted to engage the walls of the segmental recess 39 formed in the hub ofthe cam 37. Supported in the casing H is a vertical panel 40 of suitable insulating material, to which arefastened two resilient contact arms 11 and 42 which carry rollers 43 and 44 respectively arranged to cooperate with the edges of the rams 37 and 36, respectively. A. contact spring 15 is secured to the panel 40 in position to make contact with the contact arm 41; and in a similar way two contact springs 16 and 1? are supportedby the panel l0 in position to make contact with the contact arm 42.

Referring to Fig. 5, the motor for operating the switch machine is shown diagrammatically as comprising, an armature A. and a field F. The solenoid 26, the lever 28 and the circuit controlling devices operated thereby are shown in a simplified form, and the contact arms 41 and 42 together with their cooperating contact springs 45, i6, 47 are illustrated in a conventional manner. According to the embodiment of theinvention illustrated in Fig. 5 the switch machine *is controlled by a push button which is tant point from which the switch machine is controlled and at which the aush button or other controlling device is located and one simple way of indicating the position of the switch points is that shown in Fig. 5 and consists of two electri lamps N and R of different color, size, or other distinguishing characteristics, one or theother of these lamps being lighted when the switch points are at rest depending on the existing position of the switch points. 'It is also contemplated according "to this invention that the electrical energy for operating a number of switch machines will be derived from single source, and that this electrical energy will be distributed to the different switch machines by means of energy mains, as 56 and 5'7, the source of electrical energy, as the battery 55, being located at any convenient or central point. The different wires and electrical I connections shown in Fig. 5 will. not be pointed out in detail, since these connections and the different electrical circuits established will be described in the following description of the .ing to the normal position of the switch points, and in this position-of the parts the switch points are held in a normal position by the throw bar 20 which is held againstv longitudinal movement by the roller 19 and the driving piinwhich as can be seen in Fig. .l, is substantially in line with the axis of the driving gear 16. Furthermore, the driving gear 16 is held against rotation by the coopr-n'ation of the locking dog with one ofthe notches23 in the driving gear 16.

The fact that the switch points are in their normai position is indicated at the distant point where the push button is located by thelighting of the lamp N by a circuit which may be traced as follows: commencing at the battery 55,"positive energy main :36, conductors 58 and'59, contactjarm 42 in its normal position, contact spring 17, conductor 60, lamp N, and conductors 61 and 62 to the negative energy main 57 and back to the battery \Vhen the operator wishes to cause a movement of the switch points from their normal position to their reverse position, he pushes the push button 54 so as to electrically connect the contact springs 48 and 49, whereupon acircuit for energizing the solenoid is established as follows: commencing at the positive energy main 56, conductors 58 and 63, contact arm 41, contact spring 45, conductor 64, solenoid 26, conductors 65 and 66, contact springs 48 and 49 and contact piece 50 of the push button and condurtor 67 to the negative energy main 57.

The energization of the solenoid 26 raises the lever 28 and lifts the locking dog out of the notch 23 with which it is engaged, thereby releasing the main driving gear 16. The raisin of the lever 28 also brings the contact spring into electrical contact with the contact posts 31 and 31 thereby establishing a circuit for maintaining the solenoid 26 energized independently of the push button, this circuit being traced as follows: commencing at the positive energy main 56, conductors 58 and 63, contact arm 41, contact spring 45, conductor 64, solenoid 26, conductors and 68, contact post 31, contact spring 30, and conductor 69 to a negatire energy main 57. Also, when the lever 28 is raised the operating circuit for the motor BI is established as follows: commencing at the positive energy main 56, conductor 70, through the field F and armature A of the motor M, conductor 71, contact post 31 contact spring 30 and conductor 69 to the nega tive energy main 57. The motor being supplied with current drives the shafts 5 and 6, the beveled pinion 7, the beveled gear 12, the shaft 11, the pinion 13 and the main driving gear 16, thereby causing the driving pin 18 and the roller 19 to move about the axis of the main driving gear 16 in a circular path. The direction of the rotation of the armature of the motor M and the direction of rotation of the main driving gear 16 is not material and may be in either direction; and Ly referring to Fig. 1 it can be readily seen that as the driving pin 18 and roller 19 move. the coiiperation of the roller with the cam slot 22 in the throw bar 20 causes an endwise movement of the throw bar, so as to move the switch points from their normal position toward their reverse position.

T he rod 35 being directly connected to the switch points rocks the crank arm 34 and the shaft as the swit-h points move.

Cons quently, the cam 36 (see immediately commences to move in the clockwise direction as viewer, in Fig. 3 soon as the switch points commence to move; and the parts so proportioned and the shape of the car, is such'that, during a very small movement of the switch points .atthe beginning of the stroke, the contact arm 42 is shifted from its normal position as shown in Fig. 3 out of contact with the contact spring 47 to an intermediate or middle position, thereby interrupting the circuit hereinbefore traced for lighting the lamp N In this way, the ope 'ator is advised that the switch points have commenced their movement and are at an intermediate point in their travel, and if the operator so desires he may release the push button without aii'ecting the further operation of the switch machine. As the switch points continue their movement the cam 37 (see Fig. 2) remains stationary by reason of the fact that the pin 38 secured to the shaft 33 moves idly along the recess 39 in said cam; but when the switch points nearly reach the reverse position, the pin 38 engages an end of the recess 39 and moves the cam 37 in a clockwise clirection, and this movement of the cam 37 causes the contact arm 41 to be moved out of contact with the contact spring 45 so as to.

interrupt the circuit hereinbefore traced for maintaining the solenoid 26 energized. As soon as the supply of current to the solenoid 26 is interrupted, the lever 28 falls by its own weight to its normal lower position as shown in Fig. 4. and draws the contact spring 30 out of contact with the contact post 31 so as to interrupt the circuit herein before traced for supplying current to the operating motor. The locking dog 25 is also released when the lever 28 drops to its lower position, and when the main driving gear 16 reaches the point where the switch points are fully thrown and one of the recesses 23 comes opposite to the locking dog 25, said locking dog 25 drops by its own weight into said recess, thereby locking the switch points in their reverse position. The shaft 33 has been contiuously turned in the meantime and has caused a continuous clockwise movement of the cam 36; and this cam 36 is so shaped that at just before the final movement of the switch points to their reverse position the contactarm 42 is shifted to its extreme lefthand position as'viewed in Fig. 3 into contact with'the contact spring 46, whereupon a circuit for lighting the lamp R is established as follows: commencing at the positive energy main 56, conductors 5b and 59, contact arm 42, in its reverse position, contact spring 46, conductor 72, lamp R, and conductors 73 and 62 back to the negative energy main 57. Referring to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the cam 37 is so shaped as to hold the contact arm 41, in its shifted position out of contact with the contact spring 45 for a very small portion of the movement of the shaft 33; and the parts are so proportioned and arranged that just before the switch pointsreach their full reverse position the. contact arm 41 is allowed to return to the position shown in Fig.2,so.

that the parts are now in position ready for the next movement of the switch.

Vhen the operator wishes to return the of that already described and will be apparent without further explanation. 7

Although I have particularly described 7 the construction of one physical embodiment of my invention, and explained the operation andprinciple thereof; nevertheless, I desire to have it understood that the form selected is merely illustrative, but does note haust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of m ans underlying my invention. \Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States, is:

1. A switch machine for operating the movable switch points of. railway switches comprising a throw bar operatively connected to the switch points, an operating motor, a main gear. connected to the motor aid adapted to cause reciprocation of the throw bar upon continued operation of the motor in the same direction, locking means for preventing the movement of said main gear, electromagnetic means for simultaneously governing the operating circuit for aid motor and said locking means, and means for controlling said electromagnetiomeans from a distant point.

2. A switch machine for operating the movable switch points of railway switches comprising a throw bar operatively connected to the switch points and having a slot therein. ardriving pin guided in said slot, power operated means including a gear for moving said driving pinlin a circular path, said gear and throw bar cooperating to hold the switch points in the extreme positions ofsaid gear, locking means for locking said power operated means against movementin said extreme positions, electromagnetic means for simultaneously controlling said power operated means and said locking means, and means for governing said electromagnetic means from a distant point.

3; A switch machine' comprising an op crating motor, gear and throw bar for operatively connecting the motor to the switch points, lockingmeans for the gear, an electromagnet for simultaneously releasing said locking means and closing the circuit for the motor, a stick circuit for said electromagnet, and means operated in ac cordance with'the movement of the switch points for momentarily interrupting said stick circuit in the extreme positions of said points. 7 V

f i. A switch machine for operating the movable switch points of railway switches comprising a driving gear, an electricmotor for rotating the driving gear in the same direction, means operatively oonnect ing the driving gear with the switch points and causing reciprocation of the switch points upon rotation of said driving gear in the same direction,'locking means for holding the driving gear against movement, an operating circuit for said motor, and electromagnetic means controlled from a distant point for operating said locking means to release the driving gear for simultaneously closing said operating circuit.

In a switch machine for operating the nism in either thrown position of'the switch points, an electro-magnet for releasing said look. a pickup circultfor sa1d magnet adapt 'ed to be controlled from a distant point, a

stick circuit for said magnet governed by said operating mechanism, and circuit controlling means operated by said electromagnetfor governing the supply of current to the operating motor.

6'. A. system for operating railway switches comprising energy mains, a motor for operating theswitch points of each switch, looking means for each switch, electromagnetic means controlled from adistant point for electrically connecting said motor to said energymains and for simultaneously operating the locking means to its unlocked condition, and means eifective when said electromagnetic means is energized for maintaining it energized independent of its control from the distant point until the switch points are fully thrown;

7. In a switch machine for operating the switch points',a throw bar, operating means including a motor and a main gear for reciprocating said throw bar, a lock for holdingsaid main gear against movement in either thrown position of the throw bar, electromagnetic means adapted when energized to release said lock and supply current to said motor, and pickup and stick circuits for sa1d electromagnetic means controlled respectively from a distant point and by movable switch points of railway switches comprising an operating motor operatively connected to the switch points for throwing the switch, an operating circuit for said motor, means for locking the switch points against movement in an operated position,

--electro-magnetic means controlled from a distant point for simultaneously controllingsaid operating circuit and said locking means, circuit controlling means including a lost-motion device and governed by the movement of the switch points, and a stick circuit for said electro-magnetic means governed by said circuit controlling means.

9. A switch machine for operating the movable switch points of railway switches comprising a motor operatively connected to the switch points, locking means for looking the switch against movement in an operated position, an operating circuit for said motor, electro-magnetic means controlled "from a distant point for simultaneously controlling said operating circuit and said look ing means, a stick circuit for said electromagnetic means, and I circuit controlling means including a l0st-motion device and governed by the movement of the switch points -for breaking said stick circuit near one extreme of the movement of the switch points.

10. An electrically operated switch machine comprising a driving gear mounted to rotate on a vertical axis, a pin projecting downward from said driving gear, a throw rod connected to the switch points of the switch and disposed below said gear, said throw rod having an elongated slot arranged to receive said pin, said gear and throw rod cooperating to hold the switch points against movement in the extreme positions of said gear, a lock adapted to prevent movement 01" said driving gear in either thrown position ofthe switch points, and electro-magnetic means controlled from a distant point for mechanically operating said lock.

MORRIS WUERPEL. 

